Trigonometry

This SMILE resource contains two packs of games, investigations, worksheets and practical activities supporting the teaching and learning of trigonometry, from an investigation leading to Pythagoras’ theorem to using the sine and cosine rules.

Trigonometry pack one contains nine work cards with a wide variety of activities covering Pythagoras’ theorem including checking for right-angles, investigating the ratios of sides of right-angled triangles, and calculating gradients leading to the use of the tangent button on a calculator.

Trigonometry pack two contains fourteen work cards with activities requiring students to investigate the lengths of the opposite and adjacent sides of a right-angles triangle leading to the definitions of sine and cosine, investigate an extension to Pythagoras’ theorem, use the sine and cosine ratios to solve problems, using the sine and cosine rules, explore the graphs of the sine function, use trigonometry in three dimensions, and find the angle between planes.

SMILE (Secondary Mathematics Individualised Learning Experiment) was initially developed as a series of practical activities for secondary school students by practising teachers in the 1970s. It became a complete individualised scheme based around a network of activity cards and assessments.

Related resources include answers to all of the cards and test books and answers.